Thursday, December 15, 2011

Cathedral window pin cushion {tutorial}

I found a great way to try a cathedral window with one simple useful square! I wanted to make a gift for a sewing friend, a master seamstress you all know ( I am sure) and thought she could use a pincushion. I know I seem to always need a pincushion and should probably make about a dozen of these for myself ;o)

If after you try this one and decide you like it and want to take it further there are some great tutorials on {House} of A La Mode for a pillow and hyena in petticoats for a whole quilt ( this is the one I was inspired by).

You can also make a much larger version of this as a 16 in pillow for your sofa or chair , I made a tutorial for Pellon Projects and there is a FREE pdfwith all the instructions ready to go! The Cathedral Window Pillow Cushion

Cut your solid square ( if you like a print) 10.5 inches

Cut your template, I used a folder I found in the filing drawer, to 9 inches

Cathedral windows are mostly folding and ironing. Now we will be doing the origami ironing. Fold the corner over the edge of the template and iron into place. Then repeat on the other three sides.

Next fold the edges down and press. Repeat on the other three sides and you will have...

This!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!

Take the template out at this point

Fold your square in half and press

This is what it looks like if you fold one side back

Fold the opposite way and press again. When you open your square it will look like this

Time for more folding. Fold the outer corners in and press

It will look like this when all four have been pressed

Now do it all again. Fold each of the corners in and press

Done with the folding/ ironing part!!!!

This part is optional. I wanted to have the fabric in the center but you do not have to when you make yours :o) I cut a 4.25 in square and placed it in the center

When you close the doors it looks like this

A quick stitch in both directions to secure it in place

Grab that scrap bin and start pulling out some of your favorites!!!!

This is not perfect so you can just fiddle and put what you like.

when you figure out what you like then place it in one side and fold over the side. It will almost naturally fall into a beautiful curve. If you feel like you need to pin it into place.

Starting at the top of the curve sew it into place. I like to use the center mark of my foot as my guide

Almost done!!!!

The backing is one piece of 7 in sq fabric ( I used a bigger cut in this pic but it is not necessary) cut in half. Se this together leaving a 2.5in gap in the center for turning later.

Center the block on top

Sew around all four corners

Trim the excess

Turn the cushion inside out and stuff!!!!! I closed mine using the magnifying glass and a blindstitch, which seemed pretty appropriate.

Add a button and there is a beautiful cathedral window and a wonderful quick gift!!!

I hope you enjoy making this as much as I did!!!! Sara, I hope you love your new cushion!!!!!

I have started a flickr group and would LOVE for you to share your pincushions {or anything else really}. It is for cathedral windows of all kinds! Hope to see your creations soon!!!!!!Cathedral Windows Flickr Group

Oh yay! I just finished my first one and it came out cute:) It was my test run and the only thing I wish is that I'd stuff more filling in it. Now I'm going to make a couple more for gifts. Thanks for a great tutorial!

What a beautiful pin cushion and what an excellent, clear tutorial. I am going to have a go at this definitely!I found your blog through Mary Ann at the Needle and Thread network. And I found Mary Ann through my friend's blog What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday (WOYWW for short!) where craftspeople from all over the world post up what they're working on each week. It's fun but addictive :)Thank You!Lunch Lady Jan x

Just wanted to say thanks for this. I am normally horrible with patterns and directions and the seam ripper is always handy. But your tutorial was so clear the seam ripper never came out. Thanks again so much. Here is my Flickr photo. http://www.flickr.com/photos/12784349@N08/6763258001/in/photostream

Such a pretty block and a great tutorial. I have been intrigued by Cathedral blocks, but have been intimidated to attempt because I am a fairly new quilter (only been quilting for about a year now)...Just finished following your tutorial and made my first pin cusion. May even make a larger pillow or quilt. Thanks for such a great tutorial.

I am going to do this for a pillow. I am having a little bit of a hard time. Do you fold it twice? There for a pillow 12 inches would need the white 24 inch or the 36 inch? Any help would be appreciated. bdtliv@msn.com DiThe pin cushion you did is beautiful.

These are gorgeous and your wonderful tutorial makes it look achievable! Thanks so much for taking the time and trouble to photograph each stage and explain how to make one, I have seen these around and they look so pretty I would love to make one!

wonderful tutorial! I always wondered how it was sewed....You made it seen so easy!I followed your tutorial, and made 3 great looking pincushions,you can see them here if you are interested.http://beardollyandmoi.blogspot.com/2012/04/another-pin-cushion.htmlthank you for sharing the tutorial!

Kim, this is such a cute and easy pincushon. I have always wanted to make cathedral windows, but was intimidated by them. Breaking it down to a smaller project like this made it impossible for me not to at least try it. I made one and it was easy!!! Thank you for your really nice tutorial with the pictures. Since I am a visual learner, it was very much appreciated. I will be making more of these! nice stocking stuffers for sewing friends at Christmas time!Bette D.

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Thanks for the super tutorial. I found your page and made three of them -- and would make more if I had time as they are addicting. Anyway I blogged about it and linked back to your page, so maybe traffic has picked up a little for you. :)

Thank you for the wonderful tutorial! I had always wondered how Cathedral Windows was made. From my first reading of your tutorial to a beautiful finished pincushion took about 90 minutes, and I'm a pretty new quilter. These will make great gifts.

Thanks for the idea!! I'm thinking of trying this in a larger format to use as a ring bearer pillow for my daughter's wedding. Somewhere in between the pin cushion size and the pellon tutuorial size, which is way too big. About how large does the finished pin cushion measure? Thank you.

This was a much better explanation about how to make this pincushion and anything I had looked at on the internet. In particular the information about the 1/8" placement of the triangle to make the window!! I struggled with understanding that part. AND, your pictures were very clear and helpful. THANK YOU!!

I can't believe you could produce that cushion from such a simple tutorial! The design is stunning. I need to try something bright for my window seat. This would be perfect.Jenn | http://www.thepatiocorner.com